Washington Capitals prospect Andre Burakovsky won’t be heading to the American Hockey League, even though that option is available to him.

Instead, the 18-year-old left winger, originally from Klagenfurt, Austria, and taken with the 23rd overall selection in this year’s NHL Draft, will play in the Ontario Hockey League for the Erie Otters.

As Chuck Gormley of CSN Washington reports, Burakovsky can play in the AHL at his age because he is European, however the Capitals’ “plan” is to have him play junior hockey for the Otters.

“That’s going to be really good for his development,” Capitals general manager George McPhee told CSN Washington.

“Learning the language better, learning the North American game, learning more about the Canadian-American culture. You just get a much more well-rounded player a year down the road having played in North America.”